2014 Acura RLX Concept

Who says Honda—and by extension its luxury arm, Acura—is off the pace technologically? A big pile of evidence, for starters, among it the late adoption of direct injection and six-speed automatics, as well as decade-old infotainment systems. Attempting to push that pile into the dustbin is the Acura RLX concept, which makes its debut at the 2012 New York auto show.

Per Honda/Acura practice, the RLX is only a concept because its name says so. It’s really a thinly veiled look at the next Acura flagship sedan, and the replacement for the excellent but ultimately forgettable RL. As you might imagine, the RLX shares much with the RL, including a basic architecture (the suspension mounting points are largely the same, for example). They also share the letters R and L. Both cars have V-6 power. And both feature SH-AWD—Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive—systems.

Here’s where they differ: The RLX has an X in its name. It has a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission on all-wheel-drive models. Its V-6 is a bit smaller (3.5 liters versus 3.7) and boasts, yes, direct injection to increase output and efficiency. And its SH-AWD setup is now officially called Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, on account of its two electric motors at the rear axle. The skinny on the new system: Rather than a more complicated mechanical differential and driveshaft, the RLX uses electricity to spin the rear wheels and provide torque-vectoring capabilities. Acura also will apply a similar concept to the 2015 NSX, although the motors will be placed at the supercar’s front wheels.

Acura isn't providing any info on the RLX's batteries beyond confirming that they're lithium-ion cells, but it did reveal electric-motor output. The electric motor housed within the transmission is good for 40 hp, while the two electric motors at the rear each produce 27 hp. These outputs are identical to those of an Accord prototype fitted with Sport Hybrid SH-AWD we sampled last year. (For an in-depth rundown on how SH-SH-AWD works, head to this post.) The result is a claim of 370-plus combined horsepower and 30 mpg in both the city and on the highway. Front-wheel-drive models get 310 hp from the V-6 alone and make do with a conventional six-speed auto; mileage with this setup was not reported. The current RL, which is only available with all-wheel drive, has 300 hp and is rated at 17/24 mpg.

Acura promises a lightweight structure; it's unknown if the new hybrid AWD setup will be any heavier than the old system—our best estimate right now is that it will be a wash—but the front-drive RLX is said to come in well under 4000 pounds. The latter model also features a piece the automaker calls Precision All-Wheel Steer, which is rear-wheel steering. It controls toe angle with individual electric actuators at each rear wheel.

Dimensionally, the RLX is about the same overall length as the outgoing RL, with two inches added to the wheelbase; the front overhang is reduced by the same amount. Both the track and width increase by about two inches. Despite the similar size, the RLX looks much more substantial than its predecessor. Similar mounting points notwithstanding, the suspension is said to be completely new, and the car will have variable-ratio, electrically boosted steering.

The RLX will have full-LED headlamps, as well as a passel of safety and infotainment gadgets. Collision-mitigating braking, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning all will be standard. The interior will feature dual LCD screens—an eight-inch screen for display purposes and a seven-inch touch screen for inputs. Acura says the latter will provide one-touch access to audio, HVAC, and navigation systems, and that it offers haptic feedback. (Thankfully, some major features will have redundant hard buttons.) The car will feature an app that will allow access to smartphone e-mail, text-message, and contact functions. A 14-speaker top-shelf audio system will be offered, and USB connectivity is standard. Acura claims the RLX has interior volume on par with that of the Lexus LS, but declined to provide numbers. At minimum, a spacious cabin will address one of the RL's major drawbacks.

Stylistically, the RLX takes very few chances; while the creasing and particulars are slightly different, it looks like a larger ILX, Acura’s new Civic-based small car. Given how many leaps forward the RLX makes in terms of tech, the safe wrapper comes as somewhat of a disappointment. The RL drove nicely, but it looked anonymous, and that, plus its output deficit versus much of the competition, kept it from moving in any significant numbers. The all-wheel-drive RLX rectifies the power issue, but the car’s cautious styling could leave it standing in the blocks. We're told the bumpers will change slightly, too, but that the lighting elements are essentially what we'll see on roadgoing models. The only truly distinctive items on the show car are its glitzy 20-inch wheels—the multi-diode headlamps are pretty cool, too—which are sure to be swapped for smaller, tamer pieces in production.

The new technologies and impressive fuel economy—especially in the city—should help the car garner some attention, though, as will the fact that it will face less competition within Acura’s own showrooms: The company told us that it will pare its car lineup to just three sedans in the near future. With the arrival of the ILX and this RLX, that means the TL or TSX will get the boot. It’s perhaps telling that Acura is in the process of securing a trademark on the TLX badge.

Look for the production RLX to debut at either the L.A. auto show in the fall or in Detroit in January before the front-wheel-drive model goes on sale in early 2013. The Sport Hybrid SH-AWD RLX will follow sometime later in the year.

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